Smerdon, who has been coming to the carnival for more than half a century after growing up at Derrinallum, said Arch Fire was the right horse to give him success in the feature hurdle.

"Arch Fire is in great shape," he said.

"I would say it's the best he's been in his career. He's been in work with this race in mind since October last year.

“I was really happy with his last-start second placing over hurdles at Sandown. I'm sure he will derive great benefit from that effort."

Arch Fire ran second behind the Darren Weir-trained Tall Ship in last year's Warrnambool Cup before going on to win the Australian and Lafferty hurdles.

"Arch Fire is like so many other horses, his career was revitalised with jumps racing," Smerdon said.

"He showed with his wins in the Australian and Lafferty hurdles he's got above average ability over the jumps.

“We've left some fitness in him as it’s a long jumps season and we've got races over June, July and August pencilled in for him."

Talented horseman Jamie Mott rides Arch Fire in the Brierly and Smerdon believes he will suit the eight-year-old.

Warrnambool jumper King Of Dudes is lining up for his first jumps start this campaign in the Galleywood but trainer Aaron Purcell said Wednesday’s race would not be his grand final.

"We've got the Nationals later in the year marked down for King Of Dudes," Purcell said.

"I'm anticapting there will be a quick pace in the race early and he will be finishing the race off hard.

“It would be a bonus if we won but in saying that the softer track conditions will suit him."